German Submarine U-1105
‘Black Panther’,
by Aaron Stephan Hamilton
NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL a
dedicated wreck book and a good
read. Subtitled The Naval Archaeology
of a U-Boat, the US author covers all
the bases with his dissection and
keeps it just the right length and
attention-worthy throughout.
InU-1105he has picked a really
interesting subject. It was one of the
generation of U-boats that emerged
in the latter part of World War Two,
marking the passing of those
“submersibles” that had once hunted
in wolf-packs, and the emergence of
submarines equipped to operate as
lone wolves.
U-1105had almost all the new
technology required to meet this
remit. It was one of only 10 U-boats to
be clad in the Alberich rubber coating
designed to prevent sonar detection.
It carried the new snorkel set-up
that enabled it to remain submerged
for weeks, either “bottomed” or on the
move at full speed, while still being
able to recycle its air and recharge its
batteries.
It also carried the sophisticated
GHG Balkon passive sonar array that
allowed it to detect enemy shipping
while submerged.
Such technology could have
changed the shape of the Battle of the
Atlantic – had it been ready earlier.
The Black Panther (named in part
because of that cladding) was the only
sub to carry out a wartime patrol so
equipped. It succeeded in avoiding
detection and in torpedoing Britishfrigate HMS
Redmill, but then
came the end of
the war and its
surrender.
Its career after
that was one of
literal ups and
downs, as it
became the
Allies’ most-
tested U-boat.
The British
put it through
its paces
thoroughly
before it was sailed eventfully over to
the States, the last U-boat to cross the
Atlantic under its own power.
The Americans seemed more
interested in keeping U-1105out of
Soviet hands than in analysing its
refinements, and used it for repeated
trials both of their depth charges and
submarine resilience.
Finally in 1947 it was abandoned
28m down in the Potomac River in
Maryland, was “discovered” by a diverin 1985 (though it had never truly
been lost) and can still be visited.
Though its hull is buried in mud,
there are plenty of interesting details
to see around the conning tower and
wintergartenplatforms.
Hamilton, a diver and maritime
archaeologist, writes clearly and
engagingly, and the book is
beautifully produced. Towards the
back are small underwater photos of
all the main features. These are relatedto illustrations showing their positions,
so should you decide to do what could
be a slightly awkward dive in this busy
river you could certainly make the
most of your bottom time.
There are plenty of evocative
topside photos, and an appreciative
foreword by sub-diving expert Innes
McCartney. Like the Black Panther
itself, this book ticks all the boxes.
Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781472835819
Hardback, 136pp, 24x26cm, £25FUNCTIONAL
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THE COLLECTION OF AARON STEPHAN HAMILTON
THE BLACK PANTHER LIVES ON
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